Ambu introduced the first disposable airway endoscope in the United States in April 2010 and has been expanding its scope lineup ever since. “Flexible endoscopes raise specific problems because they are costly to purchase, reprocess, and repair; they are not always available when you need them; and their use risks exposing patients to infections,” then-CEO Lars Marcher told MD+DI in 2018. “We believe that the challenges in flexible endoscopy should be addressed with single-use devices, and for more than a decade we have been harnessing the technology.”

Its single-use scopes for bronchoscopies were eyed for reducing risks during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a sterile, disposable device would “substantially reduce the risks” to patients and hospital staff, according to a manuscript in a special coronavirus edition of the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.

This year, Ambu entered the gastroenterology market after gaining 510(k) regulatory clearance of its first sterile single-use gastroscope, aScope Gastro, along with the aBox 2 platform offering HD capabilities. “The Ambu system comes at a time where we’re dealing with waiting lists and staff shortages, and where the ease of setup and elimination of reprocessing, are major advantages. Also, the combination of a sterile single-use gastroscope and a compact display unit opens up the opportunity to expand endoscopy to alternative settings, such as Intensive Care Units," stated Prof. Pradeep Bhandari, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK, in a news release. 

Despite the "disposability" of its devices, the company is also focused on sustainability. It has also discussed recyclability.